North Hampshire Lifestyle Mar - Apr 2024
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Work for an organisation<br />
you can be proud of<br />
After dedicating more than 30 years to<br />
his position, Ken decided to take a step<br />
back to reflect on what he wanted to do<br />
next. As someone who thrives on engaging<br />
with people, he discovered he really<br />
missed interacting with customers and<br />
helping them to resolve their problems.<br />
When he popped into the Society to open a new savings<br />
account, Ken realised they were advertising for people to<br />
work in his local branch. He went for an interview, and the<br />
rest, as they say, is history!<br />
We caught up with Ken to find out about what a day in his<br />
work life looks like, what he enjoys most about his job, and<br />
whether he’d recommend it to others.<br />
What do you like most about your role at the Society?<br />
“I wanted a role where I could speak and deal with people,<br />
and my role is perfect for that – I get to build rapport and<br />
relationships with our customers, especially our regular<br />
ones who have been coming into the branch for years. I’ve<br />
also built some brilliant friendships with my colleagues over<br />
the years and have even maintained friendships with people<br />
who no longer work in the branch.”<br />
What skills do you need to work in a branch?<br />
“Definitely adaptability – it’s an old cliché but no two days<br />
are the same! Being able to adapt to the busier periods,<br />
such as ISA season, as well as the quieter times, is a helpful<br />
skill. Getting on with people and building relationships with<br />
people of all ages is also really key. Our customers love us<br />
because they get to know the people who work here.”<br />
What would surprise people about working for the<br />
Newbury?<br />
“It’s such a personal place to work. I was made to feel very<br />
welcome when I first started, and even Phillippa, our CEO,<br />
makes an effort to learn your name and welcome you to the<br />
Society. It’s a really friendly atmosphere.”<br />
How does your role at the branch fit into your life?<br />
“I have now been working part-time after nearly 40 years of<br />
working full-time. This has been a big change for me which I<br />
am slowly adapting to, but having a supportive and adaptable<br />
manager in Lisa has really helped with the transition.<br />
Branch roles can be flexible nowadays, so it’s great for students,<br />
people who have maybe been off or away from work<br />
for a long time, or even people with young children.”<br />
What piece of advice would you give to people who are<br />
unsure about a role in finance?<br />
“Definitely to not be afraid if you’ve not got a finance background.<br />
I hadn’t worked in finance before either. Newbury<br />
provides great training and it’s all about the journey and<br />
learning.”<br />
Working for Newbury Building Society<br />
We strive to make the Society a great place to work and<br />
offer a range of benefits including personalised training<br />
anddevelopment, a community-focused organisation with<br />
the chance to support local charities, 2 paid volunteering<br />
days per year, and your birthday off.<br />
To find out about roles in your area, visit<br />
www.newbury.co.uk/careeers/.<br />
Newbury Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority<br />
and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number 206077). English Law applies and we will communicate<br />
with you in English. We are participants of the Financial Ombudsman Service. We have a complaints procedure which we will<br />
provide on request. Most complaints that we cannot resolve can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. 9391<br />
Newbury<br />
Building Society